Students returning to De Anza will see familiar faces, only on new DASB cards.

The reason for the change is related to the cost savings, said John Cognetta, director of college life.

“The old card was costing the DASB over $70,000 per year  just for the production and licensing fees,” Cognetta said. “The new card will be about $20,000 per year.”

The redesigned card, introduced Sept. 3, uses a magnetic stripe instead of the previous chip-based format. It will also eventually allow money to be charged from any computer.

“The new card will eventually have expanded ‘pay to print’ features, such as being able to send the job from any computer, home, or smartphone and having the ability to pick up their job from printers located in nine different locations around the campus,” Cognetta said.

Students will not have to pay for the upgrade, which is mandatory for the use of the Eco Pass and photo-identification starting this quarter. The old card will no longer work on or off campus.

The college will hold a “Carding Event” Sept. 23-26 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Fireside Room of the Hinson Campus Center. Students can also obtain cards in the lower level of the Hinson Campus Center.